New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-02-05
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PRISONERS OF POVERTY.
The DOMESTIC SERVICE QUESTION.
A "LADY-HEIP.s

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: No doubt the case Of the New Hampshire We
ow MIS- campbell relates h true but surely 1t Il en-
ceptonaL Surely every reader OF THE TRBUSE knows a
at least ono fortunate woman who has faithful sess
want and who makes much OF her because sho n
faithful Tho children OF tho household obey such q
girl, tho mistress stitches many long scam for her
points out bits OF news stories for her to read,
trims her bonnets AMI gives her many present. BN
let me give from actual experience the employers
side as to "lady help" vouch for the exact trutn
Of what tell
certain Mrs. ii. who Is engaged a. a teacher dur.
Ing several hours OF each week. after suffering martyr
dom from the dirt and caelessness Of different ser.
wants, decided to try "Iady help" She found Nors
wegian widow who wished to try living out Mrs. IL
explained TO this widow that she could pay sl6 Q
month, would give the helper a pleasant home and
treat her As one OF the family The widow was to
do the work Or hire 1t done she pleased that Is she
could have woman In once a week or once q fort-
night. The proposition was'accepted and Mrs. H. on
tho strength OF expecting "ladyhelp" engaged
an to clean all thoroughly, she herself making the
bedroom neat and inviting On Saturday night au
wa' In perfect order for the "new departure" on
Sunday afternoon tho "lady" said the work was too
much for her-her feet aced and sho had not slept.
My friend advised hor to persevere, explaining thas
every new work wearied ono more at first than would
later on. The next day, the grocer having failed to
bring some eggs which were needed, Mrs. H., who
the but at that moment tho boy appeared
Tho widow could not help the woman who was wash
Ing, by starching turning tho clothes inside out
such matters beneath her. The third morning the
widow announced that "sle couldn't stand it," She
muttered something about being treated like beggar
because she had to earn her living and when driven to
corner as to any such treatment said Mrs. III. had
told her to go for eggsl The great causes Of COM
plant were springs to her bed (which hair
mattress top OF straw onel and too much to do.
Now Is 1t to DO wondered that my friend no longer
believes In "Iady-hclpP This widow had two hours
at least each day to herself, and all work
done by 7:30. She could sit with the family or
In pleasant dining-room If she preferred solitude
do not say she not tired out, but how many
mothers and housewives tired out and have no
money at tho end Of the month There not lux
places high salaries waiting for these under
paid women but II they would come into plain homes
they could q comfortable living and means TO
clothe themselves, and would be neither slaves nor
dTudges.
Tho relief, as far as mistresses concerned, IL
coming from quarter few suspect. Slowly, almost
secretly cultivated women Earning to do without
help strong woman comes In once twice q
week and the Of the time the lady manages with
out" In every case have known, IL Is found thas
the aided comfort Is worth the weariness, aud in
many cases women have found the regular house,
work brings them health and vigor.
Brookiyrl Jan. 20, 1887. HoPE LEDYARD.